Fayetteville vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fayetteville
Rockford
The Verdict
Living in Rockford costs 2.5% less than Fayetteville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville, you would need $73,148 in Rockford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $73,148 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $76,899 in Fayetteville.
Living in Fayetteville vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is equal to Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $155,000. The $58,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,768 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville vs $470/month in Rockford. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Fayetteville and 106 in Rockford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $49,800 in Fayetteville and $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 and $67,468 respectively. Rockford residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,162/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $1,244/month in Rockford. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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